Deck 5: The Physical Examination

Question 1

Which of the following is not included in a complete patient examination?

A) The health history
B) Therapeutic procedures
C) The physical examination
D) Laboratory tests

Answer 1

Therapeutic procedures

Question 2

An adult patient's weight should be measured to the nearest

A) quarter-pound.
B) half-pound.
C) pound.
D) ounce.

Answer 2

quarter-pound.

Question 3

The lower calibration bar of a balance-beam scale is divided into

A) 1-lb increments.
B) 2-lb increments.
C) 25-lb increments.
D) 50-lb increments.

Answer 3

50-lb increments.

Question 4

A risk factor means that

A) a patient will develop a certain disease.
B) a patient must avoid foods that trigger an allergic reaction.
C) a patient has a genetic disorder.
D) the chances are increased of a patient developing a certain disease.

Question 5

One pound is equal to

A) 10 oz.
B) 2.2 kg.
C) 1000 g
D) 200 kg.

Question 6

What term describes an illness characterized by symptoms that have a rapid onset,that are severe and intense,and that subside after a short period?

A) Chronic illness
B) Self-limiting illness
C) Acute illness
D) Fatal illness

Question 7

What term describes the probable course and outcome of a disease?

A) Cure
B) Prognosis
C) Final diagnosis
D) Therapy

Question 8

Which of the following may require a physical examination?

A) Prerequisite for employment
B) Participation in sports
C) School admission
D) Summer camp attendance
E) All of the above

Question 9

What is the reason for weighing a child?

A) To observe the pattern of growth
B) To determine medication dosage
C) To identify nutritional problems
D) All of the above

Question 10

The function of a speculum is to

A) measure intraocular pressure.
B) grasp tissue and prevent it from slipping.
C) clamp off blood vessels and establish hemostasis.
D) open a body orifice or cavity for viewing.

Question 11

What is the name of the instrument used to examine the interior of the eye?

A) Otoscope
B) Ophthalmoscope
C) Rhinoscope
D) Stethoscope

Question 12

The process of measuring the patient is known as

A) inspection.
B) mensuration.
C) micturition.
D) calibration.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a therapeutic procedure?

A) Electrocardiography
B) Antibiotic injection
C) CT scan
D) Sigmoidoscopy

Question 14

The reason for weighing a prenatal patient is to

A) detect the presence of twins.
B) determine if the fetus is growing.
C) determine the due date.
D) ensure the placenta is developing normally.

Question 15

What term is used to describe a tentative diagnosis obtained through the evaluation of the health history and the physical examination?

A) Differential diagnosis
B) Final diagnosis
C) Clinical diagnosis
D) Physical diagnosis

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a chronic illness?

A) Strep throat
B) Chickenpox
C) Arthritis
D) Poison ivy

Question 17

The process of determining which of two diseases that have similar symptoms is causing a patient's illness is known as a

A) differential diagnosis.
B) final diagnosis.
C) clinical diagnosis.
D) tentative diagnosis.

Question 18

How should a patient be identified?

A) By phone number and address
B) By hair and eye color
C) By SSN
D) By name and date of birth

Question 19

Which of the following need not be removed before weighing a patient?

A) Shoes
B) Jewelry
C) Heavy sweater
D) Jacket

Question 20

What is the name of the instrument used to examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane?

A) Otoscope
B) Ophthalmoscope
C) Stethoscope
D) Laryngoscope

Question 21

Which of the following is not a curvature of the vertebral column?

A) Cervical
B) Thoracic
C) Lumbar
D) Coccyx

Question 22

Which of the following examinations requires the use of deep palpation?

A) Bimanual pelvic examination
B) Breast examination
C) Detection of areas of tenderness
D) Detection of swelling

Question 23

What should you do if a patient starts to fall?

A) Hold the patient in an upright position.
B) Form a wide base of support and gradually lower the patient to the floor.
C) Let the patient fall.
D) Call out for assistance and try to break the patient's fall.

Question 24

Which of the following is not a purpose of asking a patient if he or she needs to void before the physical examination?

A) To obtain a urine specimen
B) To make the examination easier
C) To prevent urinary incontinence
D) To provide for patient comfort

Question 25

The patient's height should be recorded in

A) inches.
B) feet and inches.
C) centimeters.
D) meters.

Question 26

Which of the following can be generated by an EMR program from the input of findings from the provider?

A) Patient statements
B) Physical examination report
C) Insurance forms
D) Patient's final diagnosis

Question 27

What is the purpose of a transfer belt?

A) Provides a secure grip for holding onto a patient
B) Helps in controlling a patient's movements
C) Helps prevent musculoskeletal injuries
D) Makes the transfer more comfortable for the patient
E) All of the above

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of auscultation?

A) Measuring body temperature
B) Measuring blood pressure
C) Urine testing
D) Testing pupillary reaction

Question 29

The purpose of draping a patient is to

A) make it easier for the provider to examine the patient.
B) assist the provider in making a diagnosis.
C) protect the patient from pathogens.
D) provide patient with warmth and modesty.
E) All of the above

Question 30

Using proper body mechanics helps to prevent which of the following?

A) Musculoskeletal injuries
B) Arthritis
C) Bursitis
D) Chronic disease

Question 31

A patient has a burn on his lower back from lying on a heating pad.For his physical examination,you place him in which of the following positions?

A) Lithotomy
B) Dorsal recumbent
C) Supine
D) Prone

Question 32

Before applying a stethoscope chest piece to the patient's skin,it should be

A) soaked in bleach.
B) warmed.
C) autoclaved.
D) calibrated.

Question 33

Which of the following principles should be followed when practicing proper body mechanics?

A) Do not reach for something farther than 14-18 inches away.
B) Store lighter items on higher shelves.
C) If possible,push or slide an item rather than lifting it.
D) Use the large muscles of the arms and legs when lifting an object.
E) All of the above

Question 34

Which of the following steps should not be followed when lifting an object?

A) Determine if you can safely lift the object.
B) Stand in front of the object with the feet 6-8 inches apart.
C) Bend at the hips to lift the object.
D) Keep the back straight when lifting the object.

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of palpation?

A) Measuring visual acuity
B) Assessing the fetal heart rate
C) Assessing a patient's mental status
D) Performing a breast examination

Question 36

The patient's height should be measured to the nearest

A) {1/8} inch.
B) {1/4} inch.
C) {1/2} inch.
D) 1 inch.

Question 37

Sims position is used to perform which of the following?

A) Breast examination
B) Flexible sigmoidoscopy
C) Pelvic examination
D) Urinary catheterization

Question 38

The lithotomy position is used to examine the

A) vagina.
B) abdomen.
C) sigmoid colon.
D) breasts.

Question 39

The height of an adult patient usually is measured only

A) when the patient is ill.
B) during the first office visit.
C) when medication has been prescribed.
D) after a loss of weight.

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of percussion?

A) Measuring pulse
B) Testing reflexes with a rubber hammer
C) Testing hearing with a tuning fork
D) Listening to breath sounds

Question 41

Which of the following is not a responsibility of the medical assistant during the physical examination?

A) Positioning the patient
B) Handing the provider instruments and supplies
C) Listening to the patient's heart and lung sounds
D) Providing the patient with educational information